Douglas County deputy charged with sexual exploitation of a child

Robert French is being held on a $50,000 bond on two counts of sexual exploitation of a child. (Photo: Douglas County Sheriff's Office)

Douglas County deputy charged with sexual exploitation of a child

Robert French is being held on a $50,000 bond on two counts of sexual exploitation of a child. (Photo: Douglas County Sheriff's Office)

DENVER — The identity of a Douglas County Sheriff’s deputy who was arrested Friday for alleged sexual exploitation of a child has been released.

Robert M. French is being held on a $50,000 bond on two counts of sexual exploitation of a child, said Sgt. Ron Hanavan of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

French has been fired by the DSCO for “department policy violations and alleged criminal conduct,” Hanavan said.

Details about the assault have not been released.

Investigators received information early last week in reference to “inappropriate text messages involving a juvenile,” Hanavan said. “Through the investigation, it was uncovered that a Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy was alleged to be involved.”

Hanavan said the alleged conduct happened when French was off-duty. His duty assignments did not include schools, he added.

“This is a very complex case,” Hanavan read. “It is anticipated to be lengthy and there may be additional arrests.”